University suspends investigation into Rector

The University of Glasgow has closed its investigation into Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah who was elected earlier this year, deeming the claims unsubstantiated.

An investigation into the Rector was launched by the University last term, as reported by the United Kingdom Lawyers for Israel (UKFLI), an advocacy group which challenges the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement, following allegations of social media posts from Dr Abu-Sittah which “commemorated terrorists”.

Principal Muscatelli responded to the UKFLI by saying: “Given the serious nature of the allegations set out in your letter, I have asked our Clerk of Senate – the returning officer for the election of Rector – to investigate.”

However, as revealed through a Freedom of Information request, the investigation was closed after finding the allegations to be unsubstantiated.

In his correspondence with the University, Dr. Abu Sittah distanced himself from the accusations, stating, “I reaffirm the fact that I do not support any organisations that are proscribed in the United Kingdom nor have supported any acts which are illegal under UK law.” 

Throughout his campaign, Ghassan claimed that the accusations were part of an organised campaign of defamation, aimed at undermining his work and advocacy.

Dr. Abu Sittah secured the position of Rector in a decisive first-round victory during the election on March 25–26, 2024, receiving a total of 4,172 votes. Paul Sweeney MSP, the runner-up, trailed significantly with just 430 votes, while Susan McCabe and the incumbent Lady Rae received 350 and 340 votes respectively. 

Dr Abu-Sittah claimed that the accusations were part of an organised campaign of defamation

The Union of Jewish Students and the Glasgow Jewish Society (GJS) on campus criticised Dr. Abu-Sittah for statements praising members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a political organisation designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., EU, and Canada. 

Notably, UK guidance distinguishes between the PFLP and its paramilitary offshoot, the PFLP-GC, with only the latter being a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. Central to the allegations is Dr. Abu Sittah’s eulogy for Maher Al Yamani, a PFLP co-founder and one of his former patients. Al Yamani was involved in planning the 1968 hijacking of El Al Flight 253, an act that resulted in the death of an Israeli national.

Dr. Abu Sittah denied being a member of any terrorist organisation, asserting his eulogy reflected a personal relationship rather than ideological alignment.

Additionally, the GJS opposed Dr. Abu Sittah’s campaign pledge to replace the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA). The JDA, as described by its authors, provides a framework to combat antisemitism while safeguarding free expression on Israel-Palestine issues. 

In a campaign statement, Dr. Abu Sittah argued that the IHRA definition conflates antisemitism with legitimate criticism of Israel. He expressed a commitment to consulting Jewish students on campus to achieve consensus on a new definition.

Following the election, the Union of Jewish Students, expressed apprehension for Jewish students’ safety, stating that the Rector’s proposed changes “undermine Jewish students’ sense of security.” The GJS also criticised Dr. Abu Sittah’s characterisations of their pre-election meeting, asserting that he failed to enact their recommendations or offer an apology.

Published 27 November 2024